Prenatal vitamins aren't just for pregnant women any more. As we wrote in "YOU: Having a Baby" and everyone will now tell you, "If you're of childbearing age -- that is, between 12 and 50 -- and there's a chance you'll ever be pregnant any time in the future (10 months or 10 years from now), we want you to start taking prenatal vitamins that include the DHA form of omega-3s." NOW.

Why? Well, you likely remember the dramatic answer if you regularly read this column last summer: That was when a new study found that taking prenatal vitamins three months before getting pregnant (not just during pregnancy) cuts your chances of having a child with autism or an autism spectrum disorder by a whopping 40 percent.

This is wonderful news, because autism-related disorders are increasing quickly, although no one knows exactly what's causing them. Why are DHA omega-3s so important? They're critical to both the fetus' rapidly developing brain and the healthy functioning of your own brain. Here's how to help protect your future family now:

-- Women, say yes to taking prenatal vitamins with 300 to 600 mg of DHA omega-3s. Ideally, do this from childbearing age on, but at least start three months before there's even a chance you'll get pregnant.

-- Guys, start on a multivitamin with DHA long before you begin trying for a mini-you. The better your health, the better it is for your offspring.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz, host of "The Dr. Oz Show" and Mike Roizen of Cleveland Clinic, are authors of "YOU: Losing Weight." For more information go to www.RealAge.com